Tuesday, January 22, 2013

A white supremacist pleaded guilty Friday to burning down his black neighbors’ home in 2007.

Brian James Moudry, 36, of the 300 block of South Reed Street in Joliet,
pleaded guilty to using fire to interfere with the housing rights on
the basis of race, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s
office. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Brian Moudry, 35, had denied torching a house rented by a black family
on his block about 4 a.m. June 17, 2007. Eight children had to move
because of the alleged arson.

In the plea agreement, Moudry admitted to setting the fire because he
was upset that an African-American rented a house on his block,
according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. He also admitted he intended to
intimidate the owner and interfere to prevent African Americans from
renting the property.

The ex-con has previously served time for hate crimes against African
Americans, and has also claimed to be the leader of the Illinois branch
of a far-right white hate group led by Matt Hale, who’s serving a
40-year prison sentence after being convicted of asking a follower in
2002 to murder U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow.

Moudry’s face, neck and arms are covered in racist tattoos.

An African-American federal defender — MiAngel Cody — was last summer
appointed to represent Moudry, who could not afford to pay an attorney.

Moudry has remained in federal custody without bond since his May 30,
2012, arrest, the U.S. Attorney’s office said. U.S. District Judge
Robert Gettleman scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. April 26.

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Contact: southsideara (at) riseup.net

TORCH Points of Unity:

1. We disrupt fascist and far right organizing and activity.

2. We don’t rely on the cops or courts to do our work for us. This
doesn’t mean we never go to court, but the cops uphold white supremacy
and the status quo. They attack us and everyone who resists oppression.
We must rely on ourselves to protect ourselves and stop the fascists.

3. We oppose all forms of oppression and exploitation. We intend to do
the hard work necessary to build a broad, strong movement of oppressed
people centered on the working class against racism, sexism, nativism,
anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination
against the disabled, the oldest, the youngest, and the most oppressed
people. We support abortion rights and reproductive freedom. We want a
classless, free society. We intend to win!

4. We hold ourselves accountable personally and collectively to live up to our ideals and values.

5. We not only support each other within the network, but we also
support people outside the network who we believe have similar aims or
principles. An attack against one is an attack against all.